This is an introductory course on Appraisals. A senior DS Murphy Appraiser will guide you through each section of the URAR, focusing on GLA, room count, red flags, and why and how appraisals may come in below contract.

This photo-packed class is designed to give the student an in-depth understanding of the appraisal process so they can better serve their clients and set realistic expectations through the real estate transaction.

Mastering Appraisals looks at the standard URAR single family appraisal report and highlights the important sections of the report.

Detailed discussion is provided on key areas that often result in misunderstanding such as legal description, zoning/legal use, gross living area, the selection of comparable properties, adjustments, and much more.

No prerequisites required.

Recommended prerequisite: Mastering Appraisals.

This class will help you develop skills and provide you with new tools to do CMAs correctly. An Appraiser’s Guide to CMAs will assist you in identifying proper databases to use, finding the best comparables and most importantly, making the correct adjustments.

We will share with you general adjustment parameters and benchmarks to assist you in completing a more accurate CMA for your clients.

Course materials include a case study, a CMA grid with built in formulas, and the adjustment guidebook.

In crazy market times like these, it is important to protect your buyer or seller. This class will teach you how to take control of the transaction, focusing on topics like:

- how to determine if an area is declining/stable/increasing

- how the national and metro market may differ from the market where your subject property is located

- the factors that affect market value

- what are typical economic cycles and atypical housing bubbles

- where to find good data resources

- understanding appreciation data and reports

- the vital importance of market exposure in the valuation process

In this class, we will go on to explain why communicating with the appraiser is paramount, what you can (and cannot) say, and how to prepare the property and what info to provide to the appraiser.

This class will guide you through the inspection process, including explanation and examples of common findings.

You will better understand how inspectors determine condition, how to read the inspection report, and how to effectively communicate the findings to your clients in a non-alarming manner.

Learn how to work through the issues on the inspection report without losing the deal.

No prerequisites required.

In this hands-on course, you will complete two walkthroughs of a property, one with an Appraiser and one with a Home Inspector.

Your instructors will provide you an overview of what a site visit entails, such as key areas you should pay attention to, point out important property features, and explain why they matter.

This course will also cover common appraisal and inspection issues you'll need to be aware of when representing buyers and sellers.

More importantly, your instructors will inform you on how to prevent pitfalls, allowing you to better serve and advise your clients.